Autodesk Developer reviews

Autodesk has recently become this software monster, swallowing smaller companies at an alarming rate. To the point that it now faces competition within its own product line (Maya vs 3D Studio Max). The acquisition of Discreet Logic is still not fully popular among the Montreal employees. Some relinquish the "glory days". This can leave newcomers wondering if they missed the boat. Recent compressions worldwide have also affected the morals in the company. Autodesk has a tradition of hiring lots of interns every single term, but the opportunities for employment beyond internships are slim at best. Furthermore, if an opportunity arises, there are string attached like a limited duration and few benefits.

The opportunities for career growth are not balanced with compensation nor with realistic expectations from their overseas employees. For example: As a global company, meetings are scheduled across time zones. This is normal; however, meetings are frequently scheduled at absurd times, such as 4am or 1am on Saturday night. Software development life cycles are too aggressive because Chinese managers can't say no (and lose face) to their American or European boss. The human resources department is nearly useless. The HR Director is literally never available. She was given the job because she's friends with the Chinese operation manager, not because she's competent. The result is that standard HR requests, such as reimbursement for health care, go unanswered. Why does senior management allow this to happen? Because they're clueless (or don't care) about the operations in Shanghai.